A court has chided the police for shortcomings in an investigation related to alleged illegal manufacture of fireworks and acquitted a man due to insufficient evidence. The case dates back to March 22, 2008, when the police found a small amount of explosive material used in the pyrotechnic industry in an abandoned van in the basement of a block of apartments in Xaghra, Gozo. The site was accessible to the public,with the shutter partially opened. 48-year-old, Joseph Spiteri, from Xaghra, was charged in connection with the discovery and accused of illegal manufacture of fireworks. The court heard how the police learnt about the discovery following a phone call and immediately went on ite to investigate. It later transpired that the van was no longer in circulation as it had been 'garaged' in 2005. Throughout the investigation the accused denied ever seeing the explosive material and told the police he had lent the vehicle to be used as a store next to the site where the Xaghra feast fireworks were let off in September. In its decision the court, presided by Magistrate Joe Mifsud, pointed out that the police had failed to seal the area where the material had been found to prevent...
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